RVA-Fest Weekend

This past weekend, I took the time to get out and explore my local city, Richmond, Virginia (RVA). It always amazes me how much is always going on in RVA. Throughout the week there are constantly local sports games, art events, concerts, festivals, and more. There’s always something to do and something new to explore! I found last weekend to be the weekend of festivals. On Friday night I attended both the RVA Street Art Festival and the St. Benedict Oktoberfest.

I knew about the RVA Street Art Festival since I was assigned to write a newspaper article about it for The Commonwealth Times. The assignment had thankfully forced me to go check out the festival.

Right before my boyfriend, Leo, and I headed to the festival my mom sent me a text that she and my dad were going to the St. Benedict Oktoberfest, which happened to be two blocks from my apartment. I thought to myself, “wow another festival!” I shot her a text back explaining I had to go downtown first to report on the RVA Street Art Festival but would stop by after. Leo and I then headed down to the festival.

The RVA Street Art Festival was located in a former power plant building alongside a canal. This space had been the original location of the festival and now for its tenth anniversary artists were painting new murals on its walls.

Arriving at the festival, food trucks, vendors, and live mural painting set the scene. A large variety of people mingled together watching the artists create their murals. People eagerly waited for a chance to talk to the artists and hear about them and their creative process.

I felt a vibrant energy while walking through the former power plant building. Laughter and chatter bounced off the walls and muralists played music as they painted. I watched in awe at the murals being created. The artists effortlessly filled the walls with expansive, colorful, and detailed paintings. I examined the interesting structure of the abandoned building. Greenery grew out of the walls and the gleaming, orange setting sun glowed into the structure. Looking out upon the canal, the water glistened and reflected the vibrant sunset.

With an uplifting sense of inspiration and positivity after that experience, Leo and I headed back to our neighborhood to connect with my parents at Oktoberfest.

We parked the car at my apartment and then began to walk over to Oktoberfest. To get there we walked through the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' sculpture garden. That night the garden was brimming with life. Families, friends, and couples all sat out on the lawn talking, laughing, and hanging out. I’d never seen it so packed before. “This is so cool,” I expressed to Leo. I loved seeing people utilizing that beautiful space to connect.

Leaving the garden, we immediately found ourselves walking into Oktoberfest. The streets were closed off to cars and instead filled with bands, vendors, and thousands of people. Polka music blasted throughout the festival as people danced, drank beer, and ate bratwurst. An upbeat, loud, and lively energy swept through the typically calm and quiet streets.

Leo and I wiggled our way through the crowds in search of my parents. We found them seated at a table alongside the various food, drink, and art vendors. We quickly hugged and then Leo and I went to grab some drinks.

Afterwards, we came back to the table and enjoyed catching up, laughing, and people-watching. Ready to walk around we began exploring the various art vendors. Artists were selling jewelry, ornaments, hand-knitted items, photography, and more. After perusing for a bit, we were feeling hungry and ready for something other than bratwursts. We decided to head to my neighborhood restaurant, Curbside Cafe. We said goodbye to Oktoberfest and went to enjoy pierogies, potato skins, and quesadillas at Curbside. After a festival-filled night, Leo and I then said goodnight to my parents and headed home.

Nights like these showcase the liveliness of RVA and makes me thankful to call this city my current home!